Tampa Golf Trip - help picking course

[LeftField11]

Heading to Tampa in January for a Sat-Mon trip. We're on a bit of a budget, so here's the current itinerary:

 

Sat - The Claw - it's hard to beat $26 at 11 AM, probably a cheap replay if we have time

Sun - World Woods, Pine Barrens at noon, got a great deal on GN, will probably head up early and play the short course or just use the practice facilities

Mon - this is where I need to make a decision, we have $50 left in the budget for Monday.

 

We fly out at 5:30, so we have plenty of time to play 18 anywhere within reason (an hour away). Somewhere close to the airport might allow us to play 27 or 36. Here are the options I've come up with:

 

- go back to WW and play Rolling Oaks for $49

- The Eagles Club, Forest course

- Belleview Bitmore

- Northdale

- Quail Hollow

 

Any recommendations or places to avoid in this list? Am I missing any options?

 

Thanks for your input.

[crazy8golfer]

[quote name='LeftField11' timestamp='1451593754' post='12785474']
Heading to Tampa in January for a Sat-Mon trip. We're on a bit of a budget, so here's the current itinerary:

Sat - The Claw - it's hard to beat $26 at 11 AM, probably a cheap replay if we have time
Sun - World Woods, Pine Barrens at noon, got a great deal on GN, will probably head up early and play the short course or just use the practice facilities
Mon - this is where I need to make a decision, we have $50 left in the budget for Monday.

We fly out at 5:30, so we have plenty of time to play 18 anywhere within reason (an hour away). Somewhere close to the airport might allow us to play 27 or 36. Here are the options I've come up with:

- go back to WW and play Rolling Oaks for $49
- The Eagles Club, Forest course
- Belleview Bitmore
- Northdale
- Quail Hollow

Any recommendations or places to avoid in this list? Am I missing any options?

Thanks for your input.
[/quote]I would play Belleview, Donald Ross design

[mcadenhead]

Northdale tends to have some of the best greens in the area, and the layout is not bad.

[thegoomba]

Dunedin, another Ross and a great walking course if you like to walk.

[scottc25]

Check out Fox Hollow.

Rates are just a touch higher than you wanted, but worth it.

http://www.foxhollowgolfclub.com/

[EKELLY]

Check out Fox Hollow.

 

Rates are just a touch higher than you wanted, but worth it.

 

http://www.foxhollowgolfclub.com/

Agreed, I was there a few weeks ago. Not very busy, even on a Saturday.........

[EKELLY]

Heading to Tampa in January for a Sat-Mon trip. We're on a bit of a budget, so here's the current itinerary:

 

Sat - The Claw - it's hard to beat $26 at 11 AM, probably a cheap replay if we have time

Sun - World Woods, Pine Barrens at noon, got a great deal on GN, will probably head up early and play the short course or just use the practice facilities

Mon - this is where I need to make a decision, we have $50 left in the budget for Monday.

 

We fly out at 5:30, so we have plenty of time to play 18 anywhere within reason (an hour away). Somewhere close to the airport might allow us to play 27 or 36. Here are the options I've come up with:

 

- go back to WW and play Rolling Oaks for $49

- The Eagles Club, Forest course

- Belleview Bitmore

- Northdale

- Quail Hollow

 

Any recommendations or places to avoid in this list? Am I missing any options?

 

Thanks for your input.

Lake Jovita.......Cost you an extra 20 apiece, but excellent right now!!.......

[LeftField11]

Thanks for all the feedback. I looked at all of the suggested courses and they all looked great. I really wanted to find a way to play Fox Hollow - I looked for specials, coupons, email sign-ups, but just couldn't make it work.

 

For price and proximity to the airport we picked Northdale. We should be able to play at least 27, maybe even 36 before flying home.

 

Thanks again.

[jerebear21]

You will hate the claw. Hole 9-14 is essentially undriveable. And if you play a natural draw then 13 will be a nightmare. Honestly I would avoid the claw unless you can hit a beautiful fade

 

Lake jovita is awesome. Tpc Tampa is always great.

[jerebear21]

Never mind tpc Tampa is 120 right now. But I rather spent extra to play jovita south course.

[Yellowaudi21]

Yes the claw is an average course. Many holes that take driver or even 3wd out of your hands. Course holds water. Lots of trees. And like above. The course plays perfect for my fade that turns into a slice. A course that even from tips and well below wrx distance driver. You could almost never pull driver and be fine. My best score ever there I was having driver issues. And used a 18deg udi.

[jerebear21]

top of my head at the claw. these are all tee shots.

 

1st hole - fade

2nd hole fade

3rd hole fade

4th hole fade

5th hole par3

6th hole fade

7th hole fade

8th hole par 3

9th hole fade

10th hole fade

11th hole fade

12th hole par 3

13th hole fade

14th hole dog leg left at the 200 yard marker on a par 5

15th hole either or

16th hole par 3

17th hole draw

18th hole fade

 

it's like cb macdonald was the architect of that course since he's a natural slicer. hahaha

[scottc25]

So when my friends want to play there for money, just say no. I'm a lefty and fade the ball. I could shoot 100 there!

[itw419]

lots of good recommendations here. I'm heading down to Tampa next week and I was wondering where to play. Glad I found this thread.

[jerebear21]

A windy Fox hollow from blue is unplayable for anyone who can't carry their tee shot at least 250. Special course. The back 9 was tough. Always a mental draining game when I play there. First two holes is a 3w and short iron in. From there on its an adventure. If you can get onto cypress run I highly recommend that course. One of my favorite layouts. Love lake jovita south. I can never decide which one I like more. Tpc or lake jovita. Both are great.

 

Fwiw I consider tpc Tampa my home course.

[itw419]

I'm looking at TPC Tampa, Lake Jovita and even thinking about driving out to Southern Dunes. I want to play 1 very nice course and then for my second round I'll probably just play something a bit cheaper.

[jerebear21]

i enjoyed eaglebrooke more than southern dunes if you were to make the drive. the issue i have with southern dunes is on the back 9, it's next to a park and you can hear music blasting from afar. obviously it's not every time but enough to make me dislike the course. southern dunes is visually impressive but not as strategic as jovita or tpc. conditions at tpc is always great. and hole 15-18 is as good as any finishing hole out there. tpc has better par 4s. jovita has better par5s and par3s.

[itw419]

i enjoyed eaglebrooke more than southern dunes if you were to make the drive. the issue i have with southern dunes is on the back 9, it's next to a park and you can hear music blasting from afar. obviously it's not every time but enough to make me dislike the course. southern dunes is visually impressive but not as strategic as jovita or tpc. conditions at tpc is always great. and hole 15-18 is as good as any finishing hole out there. tpc has better par 4s. jovita has better par5s and par3s.

 

Is there a course at Lake Jovita that is better than the other?

[EKELLY]

A windy Fox hollow from blue is unplayable for anyone who can't carry their tee shot at least 250. Special course. The back 9 was tough. Always a mental draining game when I play there. First two holes is a 3w and short iron in. From there on its an adventure. If you can get onto cypress run I highly recommend that course. One of my favorite layouts. Love lake jovita south. I can never decide which one I like more. Tpc or lake jovita. Both are great.

 

Fwiw I consider tpc Tampa my home course.

Quite a few tough holes from the tips, especially if it's windy.....

[BrianL99]

A lot the Members at Fox Hollow, play Blues on the Front and Whites on the back (or White, then Golds). The Back 9 is about 300 yards longer, so it's unplayable for the average guy, as the wind always kicks up in the afternoon and it's in your face for most of the Back 9. Fox Hollow was in excellent condition this past Monday, but it's gotten so busy since new ownership took over, I gave up my membership after 7 years. Too many 5 hour rounds.

 

I played Lake Jovita North this week. Good condition, I just don't like the Membership or management there.

 

Played TPC Tampa on Christmas day. Great condition, but I don't like the layout and as everyone has mentioned, it's pricey.

 

Played Mission Inn El Campeon this past weekend and that's a nice, old style course in excellent condition.

 

Both World Woods courses are in great condition, although the greens are running a little slow ... as they usually do this time of the year.

 

Cypress Run is supposedly in good condition and it's a nice layout, but I haven't played it in a couple of years.

 

Southern Hills is in great condition as usual and you might be able to get a deal on GolfNow. I'm not a huge fan of the course, but I'm definitely in the minority on this one. In my opinion, it's a way better golf course than TPC Tampa and in equally great condition.

 

I wouldn't drive across the street to play The Claw or Dunedin.

[jerebear21]

i enjoyed eaglebrooke more than southern dunes if you were to make the drive. the issue i have with southern dunes is on the back 9, it's next to a park and you can hear music blasting from afar. obviously it's not every time but enough to make me dislike the course. southern dunes is visually impressive but not as strategic as jovita or tpc. conditions at tpc is always great. and hole 15-18 is as good as any finishing hole out there. tpc has better par 4s. jovita has better par5s and par3s.

 

Is there a course at Lake Jovita that is better than the other?

 

Definitely the south course is the best course.

[BrianL99]

i enjoyed eaglebrooke more than southern dunes if you were to make the drive. the issue i have with southern dunes is on the back 9, it's next to a park and you can hear music blasting from afar. obviously it's not every time but enough to make me dislike the course. southern dunes is visually impressive but not as strategic as jovita or tpc. conditions at tpc is always great. and hole 15-18 is as good as any finishing hole out there. tpc has better par 4s. jovita has better par5s and par3s.

 

Is there a course at Lake Jovita that is better than the other?

 

Definitely the south course is the best course.

 

I've never played the South, so I don't have a preference.

 

I do know a couple of people who work there and 4 or 5 members, all of whom are unanimous in saying the North is the better course.

 

Maybe it's not a "definite" :)

[scottc25]

I would say South for Lake Jovita as well.

 

lots of good recommendations here. I'm heading down to Tampa next week and I was wondering where to play. Glad I found this thread.

 

What days you looking to play and how many people?

[jerebear21]

Because the north course is easier to play.

[itw419]

I would say South for Lake Jovita as well.

 

lots of good recommendations here. I'm heading down to Tampa next week and I was wondering where to play. Glad I found this thread.

 

What days you looking to play and how many people?

 

I'm by myself. Looking at next Wednesday and possibly the following Monday. I was going to meet a buddy in Orlando but it didn't work out.

[scottc25]

I would say South for Lake Jovita as well.

 

lots of good recommendations here. I'm heading down to Tampa next week and I was wondering where to play. Glad I found this thread.

 

What days you looking to play and how many people?

 

I'm by myself. Looking at next Wednesday and possibly the following Monday. I was going to meet a buddy in Orlando but it didn't work out.

 

Doh, I think I am playing Thursday and could get you on my club for cheap. Oh well, if Thursday opens up for you PM me.

[itw419]

I would say South for Lake Jovita as well.

 

lots of good recommendations here. I'm heading down to Tampa next week and I was wondering where to play. Glad I found this thread.

 

What days you looking to play and how many people?

 

 

I'm by myself. Looking at next Wednesday and possibly the following Monday. I was going to meet a buddy in Orlando but it didn't work out.

 

Doh, I think I am playing Thursday and could get you on my club for cheap. Oh well, if Thursday opens up for you PM me.

 

I would love to take you up on this but Thursday afternoon I have plans. To bad though because I bet it would be a good time.

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

Dunedin near Clearwater

[EKELLY]

I you are in Tampa THIS week, better bring your DryJoy's and some ziplock baggies for your shoes. The Claw will be saturated!!....

[scottc25]

I you are in Tampa THIS week, better bring your DryJoy's and some ziplock baggies for your shoes. The Claw will be saturated!!....

 

Was cart path only today at my club. Good thing though is we teed off at 11 and never saw anyone the whole day.